But there remained two of the men in the camp, the name of the one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad: and the spirit rested upon them; and they were of them that were written, but went not out unto the tabernacle: and they prophesied in the camp.

NUMBERS 11:26KJV
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Numbers 11:26 (KJV)

What does Numbers 11:26 mean?

Numbers 11:26 describes how two men, Eldad and Medad, stayed in the camp instead of going out to the tabernacle with the others, yet God’s spirit still rested on them and they began to prophesy among the people in the camp. This shows that God’s spirit was not limited to a specific place or ritual but could work wherever God chose.

In the story, Moses had gathered seventy elders to receive God’s spirit at the tabernacle, but Eldad and Medad remained behind in the camp. Even though they did not follow the others to the tabernacle, they were still among those chosen (“written”) and received the same spiritual gift, prophesying right where they were. This event surprised the people and showed that God’s presence and power could reach beyond expected boundaries.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 11:26

  • “spirit” (רוּחַ, ruach): This word means “spirit,” “wind,” or “breath.” Here, it refers to God’s empowering presence, showing that God’s ruach can rest on people wherever they are, not just in sacred spaces.
  • “rested” (נ֫וּחַ, nuach): This verb means “to rest” or “to settle.” The verse uses it to show that God’s spirit settled on Eldad and Medad in the camp, emphasizing that God’s action was intentional and not confined by location.
  • “written” (כָּתַב, kathav): This means “to write.” The verse notes that Eldad and Medad were among those “written,” meaning they were officially chosen, even though they did not physically go to the tabernacle.
  • “prophesied” (נָבָא, nava): This verb means “to speak under divine influence.” Eldad and Medad began to prophesy in the camp, showing that God’s message could come through them even outside the expected setting.

Why Numbers 11:26 matters

  • Numbers 11:26 clarifies that God’s spirit is not restricted to certain places or rituals; God can empower people wherever they are.
  • The verse highlights that being chosen by God (“written”) is not invalidated by physical absence from a religious gathering.
  • This moment sets up the following discussion about how people respond when God acts outside their expectations, which becomes important in the rest of the chapter.

Where else these words appear

“Eldad” Hebrew H419 · used in 2 verses

  • Numbers 11:27 And there ran a young man, and told Moses, and said, Eldad and Medad do prophesy in the camp.

“Medad” Hebrew H4312 · used in 2 verses

  • Numbers 11:27 And there ran a young man, and told Moses, and said, Eldad and Medad do prophesy in the camp.

“rested” Hebrew H5117 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 8:4 And the ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat.
  • 2 Samuel 21:10 And Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth, and spread it for her upon the rock, from the beginning of harvest until water dropped upon them out of heaven, and suffered neither the birds of the air to rest on them by day, nor the beasts of the field by night.
  • Isaiah 7:19 And they shall come, and shall rest all of them in the desolate valleys, and in the holes of the rocks, and upon all thorns, and upon all bushes.

“prophesied” Hebrew H5012 · used in 102 verses

  • Numbers 11:25 And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease.
  • Jeremiah 20:6 And thou, Pashur, and all that dwell in thine house shall go into captivity: and thou shalt come to Babylon, and there thou shalt die, and shalt be buried there, thou, and all thy friends, to whom thou hast prophesied lies.
  • Ezekiel 13:16 To wit, the prophets of Israel which prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and which see visions of peace for her, and there is no peace, saith the Lord GOD.